Kinsey Has Remedy For Scoring Troubles

Steve Kinsey may be the cure for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers` lack of offense.

Since his return to the Strikers for a May 30 game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the offense has improved.

The Strikers (2-6) hope he can lead them to their first home victory of the season when they face the Colorado Foxes (5-3) at 7:35 tonight at Lockhart Stadium.

Kinsey, 29, missed the 1990 and 1991 seasons, but in four games since his return Kinsey has scored three goals in two victories. He also scored in each of the Strikers` two exhibition games.

His scoring ability is no fluke. In 31 career games with the Strikers he has 27 goals and tops the APSL Strikers` all-time scoring with 58 points. No Striker since 1988 has scored 20 or more career goals.

``I`m pleased with the outcome of things so far,`` said Kinsey. ``I attribute my success to keeping sharp and alert, while anticipating where the ball is going to be.``

``All you have to do is look at his numbers,`` said coach Thomas Rongen. ``They are pretty impressive. His scoring ability is the reason why we brought him back to the team.``

Kinsey was born in Manchester, England, and has played soccer since he was 6. He played for Manchester City for seven years before joining the Minnesota Strikers in January 1988, to play indoors. He was invited to play for Fort Lauderdale in the summer of 1988 and with the urging of former Striker Ray Hudson, he joined the team.

Kinsey left after the Strikers` 1989 championship season. In 1990 he played for the Miami Freedom and was with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1991.

``Since coming back to the Strikers I have seen a big improvement,`` said Kinsey. ``We have to keep moving forward, but we can`t let things get carried away. We have to build on the wins over the Olympic Team and the Freedom.

``If we want to win a championship, goals will have to come from somewhere else and not just myself.``

FOXES AT STRIKERS

-- WHEN: 7:35 tonight.

-- WHERE: Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale.

-- RECORDS: Strikers 2-6, Foxes 5-3.

-- KEY FACTS: The Strikers have lost two earlier meetings with the Foxes this season, 1-0 at home May 2 to open the season and 4-2 at Colorado May 17. The Strikers have lost six straight at home, including four games this season.